CN, UTU reach tentative agreement

United Transportation Union-represented yardmasters employed by Canadian National's Illinois Central Railroad have reached a new tentative agreement following mediation assistance from the National Mediation Board. A March tentative agreement was rejected by the membership, which will now vote, through September 15, on the new tentative pact.

Negotiations were led by UTU International Vice President Paul Tibbit and UTU General Chairperson Doyle Turner.

"This tentative agreement, as with others negotiated with Class 1 railroads, is intended to bring parity in wages, benefits and work rules to the thousands of employees in the railroad industry, along with the many other protections offered by union membership," Turner said. "The seniority, scope and discipline rules these members now enjoy are what makes union membership valuable."

Illinois Central connects Chicago with New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., and also reaches Omaha, Neb., and Sioux City, Iowa.